Hyundai Motor Group has joined LG Energy Solution, Hyundai Engineering and Wonik PNE in a pilot project using retired electric vehicle batteries to support fast-charging stations. Hyundai Motor, Kia, LG Energy Solution, Hyundai Engineering and Wonik PNE launched the pilot on September 10, 2026, at Wonik PNE’s facility in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province.
Hyundai Motor Group described the pilot as Korea’s first project to directly connect used batteries from Hyundai Motor and Kia electric vehicles with EV fast-charging infrastructure. The demonstration facility includes a 200-kilowatt-hour used-battery energy storage system, or UBESS, assembled from battery packs recovered from vehicles based on the group’s Electric-Global Modular Platform.
The UBESS stores electricity during off-peak hours, when power rates are lower, and supplies that energy to fast chargers during periods of high demand. The participating companies intend for the approach to reduce pressure on the power grid, lower charging costs and extend the useful life of EV batteries.
Hyundai Motor and Kia will lead technical verification and develop potential business models for the system. LG Energy Solution will manufacture the UBESS from the recovered battery packs and evaluate its performance and safety using the company’s battery diagnostic and management technologies.
Hyundai Engineering will assess the system’s commercial viability and its integration with EV charging infrastructure. Wonik PNE will oversee equipment operation and technical testing at the demonstration site.
Under real-world operating conditions, the partners will test charging and discharging control algorithms, system safety and reliability, battery performance and charging-service quality. The project combines second-life battery use with energy storage intended to manage electricity demand from fast-charging infrastructure.
Source: koreaherald.com
